Podcast
The Night Light with Joshua Johnson
Hosted by Joshua Johnson · EN
Uplifting, nonpartisan analysis of politics, trends & democracy, hosted by Joshua Johnson (formerly of NPR's "1A", MSNBC & NBC News).
10episodes
Episodes
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There's too much to talk about, so... Ask Me Anything!
Jul 18, 202401:32:50Tap to summarizeIt's been an overwhelmingly busy time lately, especially in presidential politics. Let's take some time to see what's on your mind! Anything at all you'd like to ask about, discuss, share, vent about or ideate on -- or if you've got questions for me -- now's the time. Doesn't have to be political, either. Share your thoughts in the chat!
Transcribe →Supreme Court Roundup: abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, social media & more
Jun 27, 202401:35:13Tap to summarizeThe Supreme Court’s term is nearly over, and as usual we’re getting some big rulings near the end. Bloomberg broke the news of a mistakenly published draft appearing to protect abortion access in Idaho. The Biden Administration got a win from the Court regarding social media. But some big cases are still pending, and next term’s docket is taking shape. We’ll walk through some of the major rulings and look ahead to future cases. Plus, today is the anniversary of a landmark LGBTQ+ case: one that Justice Sonia Sotomayor cited in a dissent over a new ruling about marriage rights.
Transcribe →The Trouble with C-Sections: Rachel Somerstein on "Invisible Labor"
Jun 20, 202401:16:43Tap to summarizeImagine a C-section without proper anesthesia. Rachel Somerstein found herself so traumatized by that experience that she couldn’t bear to hold her newborn baby. Her new book “Invisible Labor” explores the history and legacy of the world’s most common surgery: one that critics say is performed far too often with far too little care for the mother. If reproductive rights and abortion access are key issues for you, then this should also be on that list. When I read this book I was furious by Page 3. By the end I was shocked, saddened… but still hopeful. My conversation with Somerstein is something everyone considering pregnancy should hear, because there’s still a lot we don’t know to expect when we’re expecting.
Transcribe →Book Bans & Campus Racism: Mike Hixenbaugh on the Schools of Southlake, TX
Jun 6, 202401:32:03Tap to summarizeFew places are as politicized as America’s public schools. NBC’s Mike Hixenbaugh was part of the award-winning team that uncovered deep racial and cultural divides in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, TX. The standoffs seem to have died down, but what did we learn from it all, and what happens now? Hixenbaugh joins me to discuss his new book about Southlake, “They Came for the Schools”. Buy the book at my Amazon Store
Transcribe →Donald Trump Found Guilty On All 34 Felony Counts
May 31, 202401:06:27Tap to summarizeFor the first time in American history, a U.S. President is now a convicted felon. Today a federal jury convicted Donald Trump of all 34 counts against him connected to hush money payments. Sentencing is set for July 11th, just days before the Republican National Convention. Share your questions & thoughts about the verdict and what it means for the country.
Transcribe →Cannabis in America: how far will legalization go?
May 23, 202401:23:49Tap to summarizeA major new study out today shows more Americans use cannabis daily than drink alcohol daily. That may be no surprise in a nation that’s slowly moved past its “Reefer Madness” days toward embracing the bud. Florida will vote this November on legalizing recreational marijuana, and the Biden Administration just released plans to lower cannabis’s federal restrictions under the Controlled Substances Act. I’ll break down what’s at stake and consider what other risks the marijuana industry faces.
Transcribe →Cannabis in America: how far will legalization go?
May 23, 202401:23:49Tap to summarizeA major new study out today shows more Americans use cannabis daily than drink alcohol daily. That may be no surprise in a nation that’s slowly moved past its “Reefer Madness” days toward embracing the bud. Florida will vote this November on legalizing recreational marijuana, and the Biden Administration just released plans to lower cannabis’s federal restrictions under the Controlled Substances Act. I’ll break down what’s at stake and consider what other risks the marijuana industry faces.
Transcribe →Biden vs. Trump 2024 Debates: Why you should(n't?) watch
May 16, 202401:21:51Tap to summarizeGet ready for the sequel almost no one says they wanted: a new series of debates between President Joe Biden & former President Donald Trump. CNN will host one on June 27th, and ABC will host another on September 10th. We’ll break down what you should know about the debates, and I’ll tell you what I would ask if I was moderating. (Call me crazy, but I’d love to do it!) all my links: nightlightjoshua.com email me: joshua@nightlightshow.com
Transcribe →Biden vs. Trump 2024 Debates: Why you should(n't?) watch
May 16, 202401:21:51Tap to summarizeGet ready for the sequel almost no one says they wanted: a new series of debates between President Joe Biden & former President Donald Trump. CNN will host one on June 27th, and ABC will host another on September 10th. We’ll break down what you should know about the debates, and I’ll tell you what I would ask if I was moderating. (Call me crazy, but I’d love to do it!) all my links: nightlightjoshua.com email me: joshua@nightlightshow.com
Transcribe →Debating Divestment: will it save Palestinian lives in Gaza?
May 11, 202401:23:39Tap to summarizeIt’s been a longstanding demand of pro-Palestinian activists: divest from companies that do business with the Israeli government. That’s among the demands of some college protesters speaking out against Israel’s war in Gaza. Universities have been forced to drop their investments before: particularly during apartheid in South Africa. But there are some barriers to divestment today that previous movements never faced. How do endowments work? What does it take to divest… and how much can it really help save lives in Gaza?
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